Playing music in an orchestra is the ultimate team activity, says James Pensini. "Everybody has to contribute. There's nobody on the bench".
James is a conductor with Sydney Youth Orchestras (SYO) and has been sharing his passion for music for over 22 years. He is now reaching more people with music by using new and innovative ways to connect with people across NSW.
In this episode of Helping Hands, he is joined by Rebecca Su, a mother of three boys who participate in SYO; and James Mackun, a sixteen-year-old student and musician, to explore the benefits of making music accessible to all.
Studies show that music has many benefits for people who play it, compose it, listen to it, and who use it as a form of expression. However, access to music in education, and to good quality music resources for teachers and students, has been a challenge that has been difficult for some to overcome.
Geography, socio-economic disadvantage and the availability of teachers with specialised skills are three obstacles that SYO is working hard to remove. Through their partnership with an innovative online education platform, Learning for Good, they are making music resources and programs available in a digital format, and are making an impact in regional and rural areas.
"(Learning for Good) provides an avenue of effective communication and mentorship between skilled SYO experts, classroom teachers and students that otherwise wouldn’t be possible", James says.
The platform establishes a meaningful connection with users, sparks an interest, excites a passion for music, and enables SYO to prepare for tours, communicate with people in regional areas, and provide music resources in advance.
Participants in regional areas, such as Wilcannia in far-western NSW, are introduced to the touring Orchestra, have time to learn from SYO's online education resources, and allow the SYO to maximise their impact when on the road.
“All of those experiences when we are there on the ground aren’t introduced for the first time when we get there, and aren’t finished when we physically leave,” says James. “Through those digital resources, we can make (the SYO regional) tours even more profound for those students who we met along the way, many of whom have never seen some of these instruments before.”
For mother of three young musicians, Rebecca Su, partnership between SYO and the Learning for Good platform is growing skills and enthusiasm for her sons that will continue to benefit them for a lifetime. She loves to see her boys spurred on in confidence and ability, and making connections with like-minded musical friends.
“Music is … an important (way to) connect with the world and their peers, sharing the same common interest of their love of music … Music is a powerful tool. It’s a universal language. Regardless of your background, your culture – it brings people together. It encourages teamwork and fosters friendship.”
James Mackun is a participant in SYO and has recently stepped outside of his comfort zone, joining in with SYO’s Big Busk and participating in the Youth Orchestral Camp – which takes the orchestral experience to students in rural and regional locations.
“It feels great knowing that we are reaching out to people … who might not have access to our concerts. Being with my friends is a great experience. It’s a whole new and different experience being with musical friends rather than school friends.”
Learning for Good is an education resource platform that provides teaching resources across all subject areas.
See the BENEFITS OF MAKING MUSIC ACCESSIBLE TO ALL discussion and the full catalogue of Helping Hands panels at helpinghands.tv. Catch up on full episodes of Helping Hands on 9NOW.
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* Our panellists, James Pensini, Rebecca Su and James Mackun, and the Helping Hands producers are available for interview on radio, TV and online to discuss this topic. Get in touch at helpinghands.tv/contact/
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